Étude de la perfusion cérébrale par Arterial Spin Labeling en IRM à 1.5T chez le nouveau-né et l’enfant

Physiological changes in overall and regional cerebral perfusion are related to age and neurocognitive development. Brain perfusion in the pediatric population can be assessed using a number of imaging techniques. Two literature reviews were undertaken and published on this topic: one based on brain perfusion imaging techniques in neonates, and the other based on the ASL technique in the pediatric population and its clinical applications. The Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI perfusion sequence is one of the most suitable imaging techniques for children given that the procedure is non-irradiating and non-invasive (without exogenous contrast agent injection). There are many emerging cerebral perfusion imaging applications for children due to the highly convenient implementation of the ASL sequence, which can be easily incorporated into standard brain MRI protocols following acquisition of morphological images. Certain technical adjustments to the imaging parameters are required to account for the fundamental differences between the pediatric and adult populations. Measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) in neonates and children using ASL therefore requires a number of adaptations to acquisition and related parameters.The processing of ASL data also requires specific adaptations, in particular regarding the automated segmentation of brain tissues, and the parameters used for CBF quantification models. The processing pipeline for both anatomical and perfusion images that had been previously developed by our team for adult data was adapted firstly for children and secondly for neonates. These two populations notably have specific age-related concerns; in particular the signal-to-noise ratio of ASL is very good in children, but much less so in neonates, and the morphological images have inverted contrast due to incomplete myelination at birth. Following adaptation of the processing pipeline, several studies were completed (2 original articles published and 1 under review), showing the clinical benefits of studying cerebral perfusion in three situations: first physiological changes in cerebral perfusion in children between 6 months and 15 years; secondly changes in cerebral perfusion in children with a first attack of migraine with aura; and lastly changes in brain perfusion between day of life 3 and day of life 10 in asphyxiated neonates. Following adaptation of the processing pipeline, several studies were completed (2 original articles published and 1 under review), showing the clinical benefits of studying cerebral perfusion in three situations: first physiological changes in cerebral perfusion in children between 6 months and 15 years; secondly changes in cerebral perfusion in children with a first attack of migraine with aura; and lastly changes in brain perfusion between day of life 3 and day of life 10 in asphyxiated neonates. Several studies are still in progress, and these present new image processing challenges, involving, for example, children with neurosurgical conditions and morphological changes in the brain, or premature babies, in line with the work undertaken for this thesis.L’imagerie IRM de perfusion par Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) ou marquage des spin artériels a pour principal avantage d’être une méthode d’imagerie non invasive (non irradiante et sans injection de produit de contraste exogène), particulièrement adaptée à l'imagerie cérébrale pédiatrique. Sa facilité de mise en œuvre explique l’engouement pour cette séquence et de nombreuses applications cliniques émergentes. Cette technique initialement développée chez l’adulte nécessite une adaptation à la population pédiatrique, aussi bien des paramètres d’acquisition et de quantification que des algorithmes de traitement d’images. La perfusion cérébrale globale et régionale évolue physiologiquement, parallèlement à l’âge et au développement neurocognitif. Il existe plusieurs méthodes d’étude de la perfusion cérébrale pédiatrique. Dans ce contexte, deux revues de littérature ont été réalisées et publiées : l’une portant sur les différentes techniques d’imagerie de la perfusion cérébrale chez les nouveau-nés, l’autre se focalisant sur la technique d’ASL en pédiatrie et ses applications cliniques. Puis la chaîne de traitement des images morphologiques et de perfusion ASL, développée chez l’adulte au sein de notre unité, a été adaptée aux enfants puis aux nouveau-nés. Ces deux populations ont effectivement des problématiques différentes, en particulier le rapport signal sur bruit de l’ASL est très bon chez les enfants, mais nettement moins bon chez les nouveau-nés, et les images morphologiques ont un contraste différent en raison d’une myélinisation incomplète à la naissance. Grace à l’adaptation de la chaîne de traitement, des travaux de recherche clinique ont pu être finalisés (2 publiés, 1 soumis) illustrant l’intérêt de l’étude de la perfusion cérébrale dans 3 situations : l’étude de l’évolution de la perfusion cérébrale normale chez l’enfant entre 6 mois et 15 ans ; l’étude de la perfusion cérébrale chez les enfants souffrant d’une première crise de migraine avec aura ; et enfin l’étude de l’évolution de la perfusion cérébrale entre le 3ieme et le 10ieme jour de vie chez les enfants souffrant d’asphyxie périnatale et traités par hypothermie. Plusieurs projets restent en cours sur le sujet, avec d’autres challenges de traitement et d’analyse d’image (enfants de neurochirurgie avec modifications morphologiques du cerveau, ou enfants prématurés par exemple), dans la continuité ce qui a été fait au cours de cette thèse

Brain perfusion imaging using Arterial Spin labeling 1.5T MRI scan in neonates and children

L’imagerie IRM de perfusion par Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) ou marquage des spin artériels a pour principal avantage d’être une méthode d’imagerie non invasive (non irradiante et sans injection de produit de contraste exogène), particulièrement adaptée à l'imagerie cérébrale pédiatrique. Sa facilité de mise en œuvre explique l’engouement pour cette séquence et de nombreuses applications cliniques émergentes. Cette technique initialement développée chez l’adulte nécessite une adaptation à la population pédiatrique, aussi bien des paramètres d’acquisition et de quantification que des algorithmes de traitement d’images. La perfusion cérébrale globale et régionale évolue physiologiquement, parallèlement à l’âge et au développement neurocognitif. Il existe plusieurs méthodes d’étude de la perfusion cérébrale pédiatrique. Dans ce contexte, deux revues de littérature ont été réalisées et publiées : l’une portant sur les différentes techniques d’imagerie de la perfusion cérébrale chez les nouveau-nés, l’autre se focalisant sur la technique d’ASL en pédiatrie et ses applications cliniques. Puis la chaîne de traitement des images morphologiques et de perfusion ASL, développée chez l’adulte au sein de notre unité, a été adaptée aux enfants puis aux nouveau-nés. Ces deux populations ont effectivement des problématiques différentes, en particulier le rapport signal sur bruit de l’ASL est très bon chez les enfants, mais nettement moins bon chez les nouveau-nés, et les images morphologiques ont un contraste différent en raison d’une myélinisation incomplète à la naissance. Grace à l’adaptation de la chaîne de traitement, des travaux de recherche clinique ont pu être finalisés (2 publiés, 1 soumis) illustrant l’intérêt de l’étude de la perfusion cérébrale dans 3 situations : l’étude de l’évolution de la perfusion cérébrale normale chez l’enfant entre 6 mois et 15 ans ; l’étude de la perfusion cérébrale chez les enfants souffrant d’une première crise de migraine avec aura ; et enfin l’étude de l’évolution de la perfusion cérébrale entre le 3ieme et le 10ieme jour de vie chez les enfants souffrant d’asphyxie périnatale et traités par hypothermie. Plusieurs projets restent en cours sur le sujet, avec d’autres challenges de traitement et d’analyse d’image (enfants de neurochirurgie avec modifications morphologiques du cerveau, ou enfants prématurés par exemple), dans la continuité ce qui a été fait au cours de cette thèse.Physiological changes in overall and regional cerebral perfusion are related to age and neurocognitive development. Brain perfusion in the pediatric population can be assessed using a number of imaging techniques. Two literature reviews were undertaken and published on this topic: one based on brain perfusion imaging techniques in neonates, and the other based on the ASL technique in the pediatric population and its clinical applications. The Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI perfusion sequence is one of the most suitable imaging techniques for children given that the procedure is non-irradiating and non-invasive (without exogenous contrast agent injection). There are many emerging cerebral perfusion imaging applications for children due to the highly convenient implementation of the ASL sequence, which can be easily incorporated into standard brain MRI protocols following acquisition of morphological images. Certain technical adjustments to the imaging parameters are required to account for the fundamental differences between the pediatric and adult populations. Measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) in neonates and children using ASL therefore requires a number of adaptations to acquisition and related parameters.The processing of ASL data also requires specific adaptations, in particular regarding the automated segmentation of brain tissues, and the parameters used for CBF quantification models. The processing pipeline for both anatomical and perfusion images that had been previously developed by our team for adult data was adapted firstly for children and secondly for neonates. These two populations notably have specific age-related concerns; in particular the signal-to-noise ratio of ASL is very good in children, but much less so in neonates, and the morphological images have inverted contrast due to incomplete myelination at birth. Following adaptation of the processing pipeline, several studies were completed (2 original articles published and 1 under review), showing the clinical benefits of studying cerebral perfusion in three situations: first physiological changes in cerebral perfusion in children between 6 months and 15 years; secondly changes in cerebral perfusion in children with a first attack of migraine with aura; and lastly changes in brain perfusion between day of life 3 and day of life 10 in asphyxiated neonates. Following adaptation of the processing pipeline, several studies were completed (2 original articles published and 1 under review), showing the clinical benefits of studying cerebral perfusion in three situations: first physiological changes in cerebral perfusion in children between 6 months and 15 years; secondly changes in cerebral perfusion in children with a first attack of migraine with aura; and lastly changes in brain perfusion between day of life 3 and day of life 10 in asphyxiated neonates. Several studies are still in progress, and these present new image processing challenges, involving, for example, children with neurosurgical conditions and morphological changes in the brain, or premature babies, in line with the work undertaken for this thesis

Intérêt du scanner corps entier post-mortem dans l'exploration des morts inattendues du nourrisson et de l'enfant

L'objectif était d'évaluer l'apport du scanner corps entier post-mortem pour identifier la cause du décès dans les morts inattendues du nourrisson et de l'enfant. Ont été inclus dans cette étude 47 cas de décès inattendus. Tous ont bénéficiés d'un scanner corps entier post-mortem et d'une autopsie. Les résultats de l'imagerie étaient corrélés aux résultats de l'autopsie. La cause du décès était retrouvée à l'autopsie dans 18 cas. Le scanner retrouvait des anomalies, excepté dans 3 cas. Le décès restait inexpliqué dans 29 cas et était corrélé avec l'absence d'anomalies scanographiques dans 27 cas. Les principales discordances entre le scanner et l'autopsie concernaient l'analyse des poumons. Le scanner corps entier post-mortem chez l'enfant permet de détecter des anomalies primordiales, notamment en cas de maltraitance. Il s'agit d'une technique non invasive, acceptable par les proches. Il existe une bonne corrélation entre les résultats de l'autopsie et du scanner.Objectives: To investigate the contribution of whole-body post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) in sudden unexpected death in infants and children. Methods: 47 cases of sudden unexpected death involving radiographic skeletal survey, whole-body PMCT and autopsy wer enrolled. All findings were correlated with autopsy findings. Results: The cause of death was found at autopsy in 18 cases, with 4 confirmed as child abuse, 12 as infectious diseases, 1 as an unknown pre-existing metabolic disease and 1 as bowel volvulus. PMCT showed pathological findings for these cases, except in 3 cases. Death remains unexplained in 29 cases and was correlated with no abnormal findings on PMCT in 27 cases. Conclusions: Whole-body PMCT in children may detect relevant findings and is essential for detecting non-accidental injuries. We found broad concordance between autopsy and PMCT, except in a few cases of pneumonia. It is a non-invasive technique acceptable to relatives.RENNES1-BU Santé (352382103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Pneumosinus dilatans of the sphenoid and visual loss: when should the optic nerve be decompressed?

International audiencePneumosinus dilatans of the sphenoid sinus is a rare disorder which can be responsible for visual impairment and blindness. We present the case of an adolescent female who experienced progressive decrease in right-eye vision over 2 years. CT scan of the head showed an extensive pneumatization of the sphenoid bone extending to the lesser wing of the sphenoid and to the anterior clinoid process on the right side. MRI revealed right nerve atrophy in the optic canal and in the posterior part of the orbit. A surgical decompression of the right optic canal was performed via an intradural fronto-pterional approach. Postoperatively, her vision worsened, and at 3 years the patient was able to count fingers at 2.5 m. Our case and literature review of symptomatic sphenoidal pneumosinus dilatans confirmed that visual prognosis in such cases depended on the preoperative visual status. Early surgical decompression should be proposed whenever possible, before signs of severe visual disorders and optic atrophy

Comparison of early and late MRI in neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy using three assessment methods

International audienc

Multiparametric Analysis of Cerebral Development in Preterm Infants Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

International audienceObjectives The severity of neurocognitive impairment increases with prematurity. However, its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our aim was firstly to identify multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers that differ according to the degree of prematurity, and secondly to evaluate the impact of clinical complications on these markers. Materials and Methods We prospectively enrolled preterm infants who were divided into two groups according to their degree of prematurity: extremely preterm (>28 weeks’ gestational age) and very preterm (28–32 weeks’ gestational age). They underwent a multiparametric brain MRI scan at term-equivalent age including morphological, diffusion tensor and arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion sequences. We quantified overall and regional volumes, diffusion parameters, and cerebral blood flow (CBF). We then compared the parameters for the two groups. We also assessed the effects of clinical data and potential MRI morphological abnormalities on those parameters. Results Thirty-four preterm infants were included. Extremely preterm infants ( $n$ = 13) had significantly higher frontal relative volumes ( $p$ = 0.04), frontal GM relative volumes ( $p$ = 0.03), and regional CBF than very preterm infants, but they had lower brainstem and insular relative volumes (respectively $p$ = 0.008 and 0.04). Preterm infants with WM lesions on MRI had significantly lower overall GM CBF (13.3 ± 2 ml/100 g/min versus 17.7 ± 2.5, < ml/100 g/min $p$ = 0.03). Conclusion Magnetic resonance imaging brain scans performed at term-equivalent age in preterm infants provide quantitative imaging parameters that differ with respect to the degree of prematurity, related to brain maturation

Variability in Imaging Practices and Comparative Cumulative Effective Dose for Neuroblastoma and Nephroblastoma Patients at 6 Pediatric Oncology Centers

International audienceThe purpose of this study was to estimate the cumulative effective dose (CED) from diagnosis and posttherapy computed tomographic (CT) scans performed on children treated for neuroblastoma or nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor) and to examine the different imaging practices used in 6 regional pediatric oncology centers between January 2010 and December 2013. We analyzed retrospectively the CT scan acquisition data in children aged 10 years or younger at diagnosis. The use of nonionizing imaging modalities was reported. The CT examinations of 129 children, with a mean age at diagnosis of 36 months, treated for 66 neuroblastomas and 63 nephroblastomas, were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 28 months (minimum, 8 months, maximum, 41 mo). There were 600 CT scans, with a total of 1039 acquisitions. The mean CED from CT scans was 27 mSv (minimum=18.25, maximum=45). Abdominal CT examinations contributed 85% of the total CED. A median of 4.6 CT scans, 10.3 sonograms, and 0.4 magnetic resonance imaging examinations per child were performed. Our results suggest a reduction in radiation exposure but variability in the imaging modality choice and acquisition protocols. We emphasize the need for consensus and standardization in oncologic pediatric imaging procedures. When feasible, we encourage the substitution of nonionizing examinations for CT.</p

Changes in brain perfusion in successive arterial spin labelling MRI scans in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

International audienceThis article proposes an innovative processing pipeline for morphological and ASL data suited to neonates that enable automated segmentation to obtain CBF values over ROIs. We evaluate CBF on two successive scans within the first 15 days of life in the same subjects. ASL imaging in asphyxiated neonates seems more relevant when used relatively early, in the first days of life. The correlation of intra-subject changes in cerebral perfusion between early and late MRI with neurodevelopmental outcome warrants investigation in a larger cohort, to determine whether the CBF pattern change can provide prognostic information beyond that provided by visible structural abnormalities on conventional MRI

Whole-body post-mortem computed tomography compared with autopsy in the investigation of unexpected death in infants and children

International audienceTo investigate the contribution of whole-body post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) in sudden unexpected death in infants and children.METHODS:Forty-seven cases of sudden unexpected death in children investigated with radiographic skeletal survey, whole-body PMCT and autopsy were enrolled. For imaging interpretation, non-specific post-mortem modifications and abnormal findings related to the presumed cause of death were considered separately. All findings were correlated with autopsy findings.RESULTS:There were 31 boys and 16 girls. Of these, 44 children (93.6 %) were younger than 2 years. The cause of death was found at autopsy in 18 cases (38.3 %), with 4 confirmed as child abuse, 12 as infectious diseases, 1 as metabolic disease and 1 as bowel volvulus. PMCT results were in accordance with autopsy in all but three of these 18 cases. Death remains unexplained in 29 cases (61.7 %) and was correlated with no abnormal findings on PMCT in 27 cases. Major discrepancies between PMCT and autopsy findings concerned pulmonary analysis.CONCLUSIONS:Whole-body PMCT may detect relevant findings that can help to explain sudden unexpected death and is essential for detecting non-accidental injuries. We found broad concordance between autopsy and PMCT, except in a few cases of pneumonia. It is a non-invasive technique acceptable to relatives.KEY POINTS:• Whole-body post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) is an effective non-invasive method. • Whole-body PMCT is essential for detecting child abuse in unexpected death. • There is concordance on cause of death between PMCT and autopsy. • Whole-body PMCT could improve autopsy through dissection and sampling guidance. • PMCT shows findings that may be relevant when parents reject autopsy

Performance of diagnostic ultrasound to identify causes of hydramnios

International audienceIntroduction: We aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of ultrasonography in the identification of the etiology of hydramnios, and the added value of MRI or amniocentesis.Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including pregnancies with confirmed hydramnios (defined as deepest pocket ≥8 cm) between January 2013 and May 2017. Twin pregnancies, secondary hydramnios discovered after the diagnosis of a causal pathology, and pregnancies of unknown outcome were excluded. All pregnancies underwent a targeted scan, and selected cases underwent MRI or amniocentesis.Results: A total of 158 patients with confirmed hydramnios were included. Hydramnios was associated with a fetal pathology in 37 cases (23.4%), with diabetes in 39 (24.6%), isolated macrosomia in 16 (10.1%), and considered idiopathic in 66 (41.7%). Ultrasonography established a diagnosis of the underlying pathology in 73% of cases. Amniocentesis was done in 31 cases (20%) and it allowed diagnosis of chromosome anomalies, esophageal atresia, myotonic dystrophy congenital type, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Bartter syndrome. MRI was done in 15 cases (10%) and it allowed one additional diagnosis of esophageal atresia. The diagnostic yields of MRI and amniocentesis were 91.7% and 95.2%, respectively. There were 5 false positive diagnoses at ultrasonography, and 1 false positive diagnosis at MRI.Conclusion: Hydramnios can be associated with a wide variety of underlying pathologies. Diagnostic ultrasound can attain a diagnosis in the majority of cases. Amniocentesis offers a valuable complementary assessment